Early on, farming communities across the United States followed a tradition of collaborative barn and house raisings. Such combined manual labor was evidenced on a bright-but-chilly Saturday morning November 7, 2015, at the intersection of Crosby and Damen Roads, outside Morrison, IL. Friends of the Parks (FOP) installed a cedar-shingled roof atop their kiosk, literally capping a week of generous gift-giving.
On Sunday morning, November 1, the team had placed a towering kiosk at the end of the Morrison-Rockwood Recreational Trail, at the intersection leading into Morrison-Rockwood State Park. Concrete footings needed to cure before the roof could be installed–all in a span of seven days. Supporter Phil Benson and members Glenn Ackeberg and Marc Adami, left-to-right, are shown awaiting the raising of the roof. Manning the tractor out of view is supporter Brian Wambeke.
He elevated the structure and guided it with advice from Adami; member Chuck Finley; Ackeberg; member Josh Coyle; Benson.
Kiosk designer/builder Duine Dahler stated,”I hope it fits!” There was but a minor adjustment, lifting and pushing the corner, but it dropped tightly into position. The ground crew was Findley, Benson, and Wambeke; up top were Ackeberg, Coyle, and Adami.
It was time for smiles from FOP members, left-to-right, Ackeberg, Coyle, and Adami. Finally, Finley secured it to the kiosk frame.
Kudos to Dahler; dedicated Friends of the Parks members; their capable support crew for raising the actual roof on a dream. On hand to celebrate the installation were members Bob Brandon; Sally Finley; Bill McNeal; Stan Mitick; Kristi Wambeke.